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Geelani steps down

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 3/20/2018 12:27:14 PM

Sehraie elected interim chairman of TeH

SRINAGAR, Mar 19: In a unanimous decision Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) appointed Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie as its interim chairman, till the organizational elections, to be held late this year.
Earlier, TeH chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani stepped down saying he was not able to do justice with the post and party because of his continuous house arrest for the last eight years. He asked the majlis shoora highest decision making body, to appoint an interim chairman till new chairman is elected.
In a statement, a spokesman said that Geelani while addressing the members of Shoora, said, “You are aware of the prevailing situation of the valley and hard times all pro-freedom camp is facing especially Tehreekl-e-Hurriyat. Gagging the political environment, jailing the entire man force of the organization and judicial onslaught of our workers have left us with no other option than fight back with more will and vigour. Neither the mission of TeH is alien nor is the path chosen to achieve it unique.”
He added that everywhere and anywhere suppressed and oppressed nations struggle and strive to get rid of forceful occupation. “We all have chosen this rough and torturous path willfully and wishfully and every testing endure makes our resolve hard and strong,” Geelani said.
He further said that by the grace of Allah Almighty and “your timely cooperation I have stood my stand despite testing times of jails, interrogations, domestic hardships, physical and psychological onslaught, but for the last eight years of continuous house arrest, restrictions on the interactions with my party colleagues has dented the function of the organization.”
He further said that merely holding a position without practical contribution is injustice not only with the post, but the conscience as well, so today “I will fully step-down from the chairmanship and advise the shoora to arrange an alternative at the earliest.” He extended his fullest cooperation and sincere wishes to the would-be leadership of the organization.
Before conclusion Shoora unanimously appointed Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie as interim chairman till the party elections to be held later in the year.